OT - USS NEW YORK BB34 9/11

[footlong]

Just read about the Navy's newest amphib ship USS NEW YORK and the steel in it from the WTC.
I googled previous USS NEW YORK BB 34. Seems this battlewagon's keel was laid down SEPT 11,1911 in Brooklyn Navy Yard. She fought thru WWI -WWII.
Won a bunch of battle stars. Fired more 14'' shells on Iwo than anybody else. Even hit an ammo dump with a direct hit causing a great fireworks show.
She survived kamakazies. She survived atomic blasts tests TWICE. One above water, one underwater. They took her back to Pearl and studied the A
tests for 2 years. Tried to sell her for scrap but she was WAY TOO HOT. So they towed her 40 miles out to sea and used her for bomb and gunnery practice
of NEW weapons. Took em 8 HOURS to put her on the bottom. NOW THAT'S ANOTHER 9-11 HERO WORTH REMEMBERING.

[RSY]

The TEXAS (BB-35) is her sister ship and still docked at the San Jacinto battleground. If you're ever down that way, it's worth the trip to see the last dreadnought in existence.

[footlong]

RSY, I visited SJC Mon in June 1990 while on tdy briefly at Ft Hood. Ms Texas was NOT at home. Seems she was in drydock for a refit and paint job.
Have not had the chance to call again. Thanks for the invite.

[Peter M. Eick]

My boss did the hardhat tour of the Texas about a month ago. He said it was well worth it but the ship is starting to rust again badly. I suggest you see it while you can as he painted a grim picture of its long term. By the way, he and I work a lot offshore. We are not experts at ship design but we both have seen what happens with rusty ships and bad weather.

I will admit it is amazing how big of a hole you can plug with canvas, wooden pegs and a big sledge.

[footlong]

I know we all like big guns. but FOURTEEN INCH. Thats a real gun. Biggest gun I ever saw was night fire from 8'' howitzer self propelled guns.
Beats ANY fireworks show I have ever seen. Have heard night time B52 carpet bombimgs are quite a swow. And we think a 2'' snubbie is
brite. I think big guns are the best toys there are. Wish I had a few 14'' rounds and a battleship to shoot them with. Talk about letting off
steam and frustrations. I read a little of the Texas and its history . After D DAY she had her main gun barrels replaced before going to IWO.
Think they had had app 5thou rds thru them. Seems about rite for a 14'' MAGNUM.

[FWiedner]

I recall being deployed down-range at YPG once when they were testing a 16-inch gun.

I recall hearing the delayed roar of that big gun and the echo of it off of the surrounding mountains, and then the sight of a 6-foot long 16-inch solid bouncing across the desert, leaving a huge cloud of volcanic dust rising from a half dozen points of impact as it bounced and tumbled. When it finally came to rest, a lone pick-up from the proving-grounds drove out to check on it. The guy drove a wide loop around it and didn't even stop. We snuck over to look at it, and the thing was too hot to touch for hours after it landed. It looked like a huge .50BMG bullet.

I'll bet it's still laying out there. Just too big to move out of that soft sand.

[Ysabel Kid]

Very cool post!!!

[Bullard4075]

I believe the USS Alabama is still at Mobile Bay.

http://www.ussalabama.com/

[Jayhawker]

...Beats ANY fireworks show I have ever seen....

Won't try and argue with that. They are impressive. This is the USS New Jersey which is 887 feet long.



Found a better picture, but the size of the fireball isn't really apparent.

[new pig hunter]

Had the chance to wander around the USS North Carolina, now a museum in Wilmington, NC. Way cool.

Had the incredible opportunity in 1988 to take a 1-day dependent's cruise aboard the USS Missouri (sister ship to the New Jersey) from Long Beach, CA to San Diego. Was standing on the wing of the bridge when they fired an 8-barrel broadside from the 16" guns. Way cool ... and the heat blast was certainly memorable. Sure wouldn't want to do a few days shelling of an enemy island like they did in WWII, the constant concussion would rattle your brains.

Cheers,

Carl

[RSY]

I believe the USS Alabama is still at Mobile Bay.

http://www.ussalabama.com/

She definitely is and I've toured her, as well. But she is much more modern and not a "dreadnought" as is the USS Texas.

As most of those ships, the Texas has a great history. From being part of the Grand Fleet that met the surrendering Imperial German fleet at sea and escorted them back to Scapa Flow at the end of WWI, to doing naval gunfire duty off the coast of Normandy in WWII and then scooting through the Canal to do her thing at both Iwo Jima and Okinawa, she has seen and done much for us.

Scott